
India celebrated its 76e Republic Day yesterday. It is one of the three national holidays of India, just like Independence Day, celebrated on August 15 and Gandhi Jayanti, the birthday of Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation, celebrated on August 2. October each year.
India obtained its independence on August 15, 1947 but remained under the management of the Dominion until 1950. It was from the adoption of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, in fact, that India was became a republic in its own right. This day marks the entry into force of the Indian Constitution. Since then, this day has been celebrated with patriotic fervor, every January 26, in all countries where Indian communities exist. Madagascar is one of them. Thus, a convivial ceremony was held at the Indian residence located in Analamahitsy yesterday morning to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Republic of India.
The Ambassador of India to Madagascar, HE Bandaru Wilsonbabu, was keen to report to the Indian community of the capital, invited to the residence for the occasion, the speech given by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at the eve of this day of celebration. In her speech, she mentioned the establishment of development and well-being councils for nomadic and semi-nomadic communities, for greater inclusion. She also mentioned the series of initiatives underway in the field of culture to preserve and revitalize traditions and customs, including the preservation and enhancement of the rich heritage of Indian civilization. She did not fail to recall India’s various advances in all areas, including the development of physical infrastructure, the use of technology in the financial field, the good health of the banking system, among others.
The Indian Ambassador to Madagascar, for his part, also wanted to remind the audience of the significant events and the various achievements within the framework of cooperation between Madagascar and India, without forgetting to remind that the doors of the embassy are always open to all Indian nationals on the Big Island.
The celebration ceremony included a cultural touch, including a yoga demonstration by students of the embassy’s yoga class, but also musical performances, performed by students of the Hindi class, employees from the embassy and by representatives of the local Indian community.
The sharing of a typically Indian meal and traditional tea definitively closed the celebration ceremony.
Hanitra Andria